Our human environment is varied. We have two main streets – Fryar Road and River Hills Road. They intersect nearly in the middle of this suburb. We have a shopping centre – it`s not huge – but just right. Many of us walk to the shops still and the kids ride or skateboard. It`s one of the things that attracted me to this area. You just don`t see people walking and riding to their local shops anymore. The traffic although busier than it used to be is still manageable and the few lights we have are not such a hindrance to everyday movement.
We now have lots more units and so more people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are certainly a multicultural suburb. We have two primary schools and a number of day care centres to cater for all the extra ` little` people that are moving here. We have also become something of an over 50`s retirement area with three very large complexes. Our suburb therefore has the very young to the more mature group of people.
We are `a little bit country` as we are surrounded by two rivers and one major highway, the M1. Eagleby, therefore, is separated from other parts of Logan. You don`t go through Eagleby to get to other suburbs.
We have two major natural environments that are so very important, not only to Eagleby but to south east Queensland and the Logan area. We have a huge floodplain and a large wetland area.
The Logan and Albert Rivers meet here and during flood times spread their water out into Eagleby`s floodplain.
We are very proud that we are protecting the many towns upstream from excessive flooding and so damage is minimized, but also ensuring that the pristine Moreton Bay remains free of sediments and debris. So far development in our area has been sensible and allowed the flood waters to spread out into our flood plain. We are used to regular flooding here. Our floodplain also maintains biodiversity in the region as animals and plants are able to spread out and move from one area to another. Flooding is also a huge bonus to our farmers as it recharges our aquifers and sediments increase fertility of the land.
We still have sugar cane farming at the end of one of our busiest roads, Fryar Road. I can see therefore that our floodplain is a huge economic resource to the entire area.
Our second major resource is our wetlands. There are at least 13 wetlands in the area and there could be more still. Wetlands do so much for communities. Wetlands clean the water as sediments have time to soak into the soil or move slowly through the environment. This makes for large amounts of food for our birds. In Eagleby we have over 250 species of birds from the smallest of wrens to the largest of the eagles. People come from overseas just to view the many birds that come to Eagleby and thrive here. Some birds live here all year long like the Brahminy Kite, the Red-backed fairywren and the Sacred Kingfisher, while others come seasonally liker the Channel-Billed Cuckoo and the Latham`s Snipe. Others come occasionally, sometimes during adverse climatic events. The Rose-Crowned Fruit Dove is a beautiful bird.
One of the greatest benefits of our wetlands is the ability to store carbon. It has become the `in` thing-the buzz phrase-`blue carbon`. Our system of wetlands in Eagleby are carbon sinks and so are capable of mitigating the effects of climate change. We need to pass on to future generations a world that is better than the world we were born into. These wonderful young people should not have to spend their time fixing up systems that we have ruined.
Finally, wetlands are great places for recreation. They are the quiet and peaceful places we need at this moment in time. We need to walk, to bicycle and to picnic in green and serene surroundings. This world has become such a busy place and at times lately a little scary. There is nothing better for the soul than to take a walk and listen to the birds as our mind quietens and focusses on the beautiful world around us.
Come to my place Eagleby and enjoy the surroundings – take a deep breath and relax.